edged weapons

Here is a selection of militaria from this category:

This is likely to have been made towards the end of the American Revolutionary War (Peace of Paris, 1783) or during the early part of the Napoleonic Wars (starting 1793). This would have been carried by an RN officer or HEIC naval officer, and this example is interesting in having a particularly long (approx 26") blade.

This classic Union cavalry sabre, with nearly 100% of its original polish to the blade, is marked 'EMERSON & SILVER//TRENTON//N.J.' at the forte, Emerson & SIlver being one of the rarer Union makers with only some 27,000 being made in the course of the war (the Ames swords have recently been reproduced in India).

This sword, dating from 1805-09, would have been carried by an Inspecteur aux (or 'des') Revues (the equivalent of Commissary in the British Army), responsible for pay, provisions (hence the ears of wheat on the guard and knuckle bow) and the depot system. Before this, they simply carried an ordinary infantry sword. The sword is rare.

This iron-mounted sabre, dating from the early years of the Napoleonic Wars, would have been carried by a British officer in a cavalry or yeomanry unit. Singularly, it has a backstrap/pommel in the form of a lion's head, something I have never seen on this pattern in over 50 years of arms dealing. All I need is a good portrait to pin it down!

This Austrian-influenced sabre would have been carried by British horse artillery and Light Dragoons throughout the Peninsula War and, of course, at Waterloo. It is marked 'Osborns Warranted', a renowned Birmingham sword cutler. It has the post-1801 arms and pre-dates the amalgamation of Osborn & Gunby, which took place in 1807.